Former special task force member returns to court over Witness D murder

'I'm ready to say what had happened': Ex-Saps officer Matipandile Sotheni denies killing Witness D

A former elite police officer, Matipandile Sotheni, has denied any role in the murder of Marius van der Merwe, also known as “Witness D”. Sotheni, once a member of the Special Task Force (STF) within the South African Police Service (Saps), made his second appearance at the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court, Ekurhuleni, on Wednesday, 25 March 2026. ALSO READ: Witness D’s family confirms death threats after Brakpan hit The 41-year-old stands accused of …

Former special task force member returns to court over Witness D murder

Matipandile Sotheni, a former elite police unit member, is expected to appear in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court as he faces multiple charges, including premeditated murder, linked to the killing of Madlanga Commission witness Marius van der Merwe

Ex task force officer denies killing key witness

By Palesa Matlala Former special task force officer Matipandile Sotheni told the Brakpan Magistrate Court he did not kill witness Marius van der Merwe and rejects all charges. The state says it has enough evidence to prosecute Sotheni, who faces charges including murder, attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm. Matipandile Sotheni, a former member of the South African Police Service Special Task Force, has denied killing Marius va…

Accused in Killing of Madlanga Witness D Denies Allegations: ‘I Had Nothing to Do with This Crime’

The man accused of murdering Marius van der Merwe, a key witness at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry known as Witness D, has strongly denied involvement in the crime during his second appearance in the Brakpan Magistrates Court . Matiphandile Sotheni, a former member of the SAPS Special Task Force, is accused of fatally shooting van der Merwe outside his home in Brakpan in December 2025 . Court Appearance Sotheni appeared in court dressed in a…

Alleged Witness D gunman denies charges in court

By Charmaine Ndlela The man accused of pulling the trigger in the murder of Marius van der Merwe, who testified before the Madlanga Commission as “Witness D”, denied the charges against him in the Brakpan Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. Matipandile Sotheni, 41, a former SAPS Special Task Force member, appeared in court for the second time in connection with van der Merwe’s assassination on 5 December 2025. ALSO READ: AfriForum releases dossier …